selves up like most wretched creatures in their own houses, and therein burnt themselves with all they had; so dying unrevenged. The treasures found in Saguntum, which were very great, Hannibal kept, therewith to pay his army; the slaves and other booty he divided among his soldiers, reserving some things of choice, wherewith to present his friends at Carthage, and to animate them unto the war.

These tidings exceedingly vexed the Romans, who had good cause to be angry at their own slowness, in forbearing to send help unto the Saguntines, that held out eight months, looking still for succour, but in vain. Wherefore they determined to repair their lionour by taking sharp revenge. To this end they sent ambassadors again to Carthage, demanding onły, Whether it were by general consent and allowance of the Carthaginians, that Hannibal had made war upon Saguntum; which, if they granted, (as it seemed they would) then to give them defiance. Hereunto answer was made in the senate of Carthage, to this effect: That this their second embassage, howsoever qualified with mild words, was indeed more insolent than the former. For in that they only required justice against Hannibal; but in this, the very state and commonwealth of Carthage was urged to plead guilty, or not guilty. But (said the Carthaginian speaker) whether the general of our army in Spain, in besieging Saguntum, have only followed his own counsel, or whether he did it by di rection from us, it is not the question which the Romans ought to ask us. That which is indeed worthy examination or dispute, is, Whether it were lawful or unlawful for Hannibal to do as he hath done. For it belongs to us to call our own commanders in question, and to punish them according to their faults and errors; to you, to challenge us, if we have done any thing contrary to our late league and 'contract. It is true, that in our negotiation with Luctatius the

consul, the allies of both nations were comprehended; but the Saguntines were not then of your allies, and therefore no parties to the peace then made; for of your allies in the future, or of ours, there was no dispute. As touching the last agreement between you and Asdrubal, wherein you will say, that the Saguntines were comprehended by name,-it is you that have taught us how to answer that particular. For whatsoever you found in the treaty between us and Luctatius, to your own disadvantage, you cast it upon your consul's presumption, as promising those things for which he had no warrant from the senate and people of Rome. If then it be lawful for the Romans to disavow the actions of their consuls and commanders concluding any thing without punctual and precise warrant, the same liberty may we also assume, and hold ourselves no way bound in honour "to perform those bargains which Asdrubal hath made for us, without our commandment and consent.

This was an impertinent answer, and little better than a mere cavil. For Luctatius the consul, in his treaty of peace with the Carthaginians, had expressly referred the allowance thereof to the people of Rome. It had been therefore much better to have dealt plainly, and to have alleged, that after this league was made and confirmed on both parts, it was broken by the Romans, in robbing the Carthaginians of the isle of Sardinia, and, withal, of twelve hundred talents; which perjury the state of Carthage, being now grown able, would revenge with open war. As for the Saguntines, it little skilled that the Romans had admitted them into confederacy, and forthwith inserted their names into the treaty of peace with Asdrubal; seeing that the treaty with Asdrubal, and all other business between Rome and Carthage, following the violence and breach of peace in taking away Sardinia, were no better than Roman injuries; as implying this commination,

'Do whatsoever we require, else will we make war, without regard of our oath, which we have already 'broken.'

But this the Carthaginians did not allege; forgetting, in heat of contention, (as Polybius takes it,) the best of their plea. Yet since Livy himself doth remember and acknowledge, that the taking of Sardinia from the Carthaginians, did inflame the spirit of Hamilcar with desire of revenge; we may reasonably think, that the mention of this injury was omitted, not so much upon forgetfulness, as for that it was not thought convenient, by ripping up such ancient matter of quarrel, to shew that the war, now towards, had long been thought upon, and like to be made with extraordinary force, in other manner than heretofore. In conclusion, the Carthaginian senate moved the Roman embassadors to deliver unto them in plain terms the purposes of those that sent them, and the worst of that which they had long determined against them:as for the Saguntines, and the confining of their armies within Iberus, those were but their pretences. Whereupon Q. Fabius, gathering up the skirt of his gown, as if somewhat had been laid in the hollow thereof, made this short reply; I have here (quoth he) in my gown-skirt, both peace and war; make you (my masters of the senate) election of these two, which of them you like best, and purpose to embrace.' Hereat all cried out at once, Even which of them you yourself have a fancy to offer us. 6 Marry then (quoth Fabius) take the war and share it among you. Which all the assembly willingly accepted.

This was plain dealing. To wrangle about pretences, when each party had resolved to make war, it was merely frivolous. For all these disputes of breach of peace have ever been maintained by the party unwilling, or unable to sustain the war. The rusty sword and the empty purse, do always plead

performance of covenants. There have been few kings or states in the world that have otherwise understood the obligation of a treaty, than with the condition of their own advantage; and commonly (seeing peace between ambitious princes and states is but a kind of breathing) the best advised have rather begun with the sword than with the trumpet. So dealt the Arragonese with the French in Naples ; Henry II. of France, with the Imperialists, when he wrote to Brisac, to surprise as many places as he could, ere the war broke out; Don John, with the Netherlands; and Philip II. king of Spain, with the English, when in the great embargo he took all our ships and goods in his ports.

But Hannibal, besides the present strength of Carthage, and the common feeling of injuries received from these enemies, had another private and hereditary desire, that violently carried him against the Romans. His father Hamilcar, at what time he did sacrifice, being ready to take his journey into Spain, had solemnly bound him by oath to pursue them with immortal hatred, and to work them all possible mischief, as soon as he should be a man and able. Hannibal was then about nine years old when his father caused him to lay his hand upon the altar and make this vow; so that it was no marvel if the impression were strong in him.

That it is inhuman to bequeath hatred in this sort, as it were by legacy, it cannot be denied. Yet for mine own part, I do not much doubt, but that some of those kings with whom we are now in peace, have received the like charge from their own predecessors, that, as soon as their coffers should be full, they shall declare themselves enemies to the people of England,

N 4

SECT. II.

Hannibal takes order for the defence of Spain and Africa. His journey into Italy.

WAR being thus proclaimed, Hannibal resolved not to put up his sword which he had drawn against the Saguntines, until he had therewith opened his passage unto the gates of Rome. So began the second Punic war,-second to none that ever the senate and people of Rome sustained. Hannibal wintered at Carthagena, where he licensed his Spanish soldiers to visit their friends, and refresh themselves against the spring. In the meanwhile, he gave instructions to his brother Asdrubal for the government of Spain in his absence. He also took order to send a great many troops of Spaniards into Africa, to equal the numbers of Africans formerly drawn into Spain; to the end, that so the one nation might remain as pledges and gages for the other. Of the Spaniards, he transported into Africa thirteen thousand eight hundred and fifty foot, and twelve hundred horse; also eight hundred slingers of the Baleares.' Besides these, he selected four thousand foot, all-young men, and of quality, out of the best cities of Spain, which he appointed to be garrisoned in Carthage itself, not so much in regard of their forces, as that they might serve for hostages; for among these four thousand, the best of the Spanish citizens, and those that swayed most in their several states, had their sons or kinsmen. He also left with his brother, to guard the coasts and ports, fifty and seven gallies; whereof thirty-seven were presently armed and ap

1 Majorca and Minorca.